Final cuts are right around the corner, as the Chargers 2017 preseason comes to its end. Players looking to make the final cut had one more chance to prove themselves worthy in last Thursday’s matchup in San Francisco, in which the 49’ers won 23-13.
Many players are on the edge of their seats including un-drafted running back Austin Eckler, who surely impressed his coaches as he rushed for 60 yards on eight carries along with 3 caught passes for 58 yards. Besides Eckler, other promising futures include defensive end Chris McCain and cornerback Desmond King.
More cuts were made over this past weekend as former Ohio State standout Cardale Jones will now act as the backup behind Philip Rivers after Kellen Clemens was officially cut on Saturday. The Chargers had to make some tough position choices throughout the whole preseason.
While both Jones or Clemens struggled during the preseason, the chances of the Chargers holding on to three quarterbacks were very slim. However, it is surprising that the team held onto Jones, a newcomer to the NFL, over veteran Clemens, who may have a second opinion of why he was cut.
Another big story coming out of the Chargers preseason cuts was undrafted kicker Younghoe Koo, who surprisingly beat out current kicker Josh Lambo, who signed with the Chargers back in 2015.
Questions will always linger amongst the Chargers fan base on why certain cuts were made, but in the end, it’s up to the season itself how coaches and fans will decide their opinions. Whether it’s a season worthy of the history books with Rivers and Tight End Antonio Gates, or a breakout season for a rookie, the Chargers are still overcoming the biggest challenge of all, adjusting to a new stadium and a city that only accepts a winning team as watchable.